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In high school, math and science kids have the intel and seimens westinghouse competitions. Are there any national competitions like that for high school students who are talented writers and good at history? Essay contests possibly? If so what are the most prestigous?

By Vegangirl (Vegangirl) on Sunday, May 02, 2004 - 12:23 am: Edit

IMO, one of the most prestigious humanities competitions is National History Day (http://www.nationalhistoryday.org). For NHD students do research on a specific topic in history relating to a yearly theme (this year it's "exploration, encounter, and exchange in history") and then present it in the form of a research paper, exhibit, documentary, or dramatic performance. Depending on where you live, winning at the state level could be very prestigious, and certainly at nationals it is. It's a great competition and a lot of fun for us history-types. I'll be representing Colorado this year at nationals

A couple history contests specifically focusing on a piece of written work are the JFK "Profile In Courage" essay competition (http://www.jfkcontest.org/), and the Concord Review (www.tcr.org) also provides opportunities for exemplary student research papers to be published.

Finally, look into Mock Trial and We the People: The Citizen and the Constitution competitions (don't have the addresses, but you should be able to google them fine) if you have interest in government.

Good luck!

By Gottagetout (Gottagetout) on Sunday, May 02, 2004 - 12:24 am: Edit

There exists an Ayn Rand Foundation Fountainhead essay contest for high school students. If interested, use Google.

Edit: oops, forgot to mention -- I believe this is fairly prestigious and there is a $5k prize for first (check the website for all the details, though).

By Ghhizzmo (Ghhizzmo) on Sunday, May 02, 2004 - 01:40 am: Edit

Intel also has a category for Social Sciences. Siemens only has Math and Science.

By Ilikecongress (Ilikecongress) on Sunday, May 02, 2004 - 02:06 pm: Edit

bump

By Anticatalyst (Anticatalyst) on Monday, May 03, 2004 - 08:53 pm: Edit

Siemens sponsors category prizes at NHD, so they've got some social sciences going on, if only in the context of another competition...

I'd like to second the fact that NHD is fun, as well.

You've got another month and a half, right, Vegangirl? Good luck. If you run into any crazed pin-trading maniacs from Massachusetts, chances are they know me. Tell them Leni says hi.

Actually, don't. But I hope you have a great time! I couldn't put together a project this year, unfortunately. Ehh, there's always next time, right?